Reheating Big Macs: Air Fryer Magic

Yes, you can reheat a Big Mac in an air fryer, but it may turn out drier than other reheating methods. To do so, set your air fryer to 350°F (180°C) and remove as much lettuce as possible from the burger. Take off the top and bottom buns and place them to one side. Place the remaining burger into the air fryer basket and sprinkle a tablespoon of water over it. Heat for 2-3 minutes, flipping once halfway through. Wet the remaining buns with a sprinkle of water and reheat in the air fryer for 20-30 seconds. Assemble the Big Mac and serve.

Reheating a Big Mac in an air fryer vs. a frying pan

Reheating a Big Mac in an air fryer is possible, but it may not be the best option. While the air fryer is great for reheating fried foods like McDonald's famous fries, chicken nuggets, and burgers, it may not be the best choice for a Big Mac specifically. Here's a detailed comparison of reheating a Big Mac in an air fryer versus a frying pan:

Reheating a Big Mac in an Air Fryer

To reheat a Big Mac in an air fryer, you'll need to set the temperature to 350°F (180°C). Start by removing the top and bottom buns and as much lettuce as possible from the burger. Place the remaining patty-bun-patty stack into the air fryer basket and sprinkle a small amount of water (about a tablespoon) over the top patty. Heat this for 2-3 minutes, flipping it once halfway through. Then, sprinkle the remaining buns with water and reheat them in the air fryer for 20-30 seconds. Assemble the Big Mac and serve.

Reheating a Big Mac in a Frying Pan

The frying pan method is considered one of the best ways to reheat a Big Mac, keeping the bun soft and the burger juicy. To start, disassemble the burger and remove the lettuce and sauce. You can keep the patties and buns together if they're stuck, but it's best to separate them as much as possible. Heat a lightly oiled frying pan to medium heat. Place the patties and buns in the pan, add a tablespoon of water to create steam, and cover. Fry for 1-2 minutes, then remove the lid and flip the patties and buns. Toast for another 30 seconds, assemble the Big Mac, add fresh lettuce if desired, and serve immediately.

Comparison

Both the air fryer and frying pan methods aim to reheat the Big Mac while keeping the bun soft and the burger juicy. However, the frying pan method is generally considered superior for achieving this balance. The air fryer method may result in a drier Big Mac due to the stronger fan and harsher cooking environment. On the other hand, the frying pan method uses steam to rehydrate the buns and keep the patties moist, resulting in a juicier burger and softer bun. Additionally, the frying pan method is quicker, taking only a few minutes, while the air fryer method can take closer to 5 minutes.

How to prepare a Big Mac for reheating in an air fryer

Step 1: Deconstruct the Burger

Remove the lettuce and sauce from your Big Mac. You may also want to separate the buns and patties, but this is not necessary. If your Big Mac is particularly large, you may want to cut it in half to ensure even heating.

Step 2: Prepare the Air Fryer

Set your air fryer to 350°F (180°C). If you want to make cleaning easier and prevent cheese from sticking, you can line the air fryer basket with aluminum foil.

Step 3: Add the Big Mac to the Air Fryer

Place the burger in the air fryer basket. If you have not separated the components, be careful not to overcrowd the basket. You may need to reheat a large Big Mac in two halves. Lightly spray the burger with cooking oil or water—this will help add crispness.

Step 4: Reheat the Burger

Reheat the burger for 2-3 minutes, flipping it once halfway through. The burger should be "steaming hot" all the way through.

Step 5: Reheat the Buns

Sprinkle the buns with water and place them in the air fryer for 20-30 seconds to warm them up.

Step 6: Assemble and Serve

Remove the burger from the air fryer and assemble the Big Mac. Serve and enjoy!

Reheating McDonald's fries in an air fryer

The air fryer has revolutionised the way we reheat leftovers, and that includes McDonald's famous fries. If you've got leftover McDonald's fries, you can use an air fryer to make them crispy and tasty again.

First, make sure your fries have been stored in the fridge. According to government food safety guidelines, food that has been left out at room temperature for more than two hours should not be eaten.

To reheat your fries, start by spraying them with oil. Then, place them in the air fryer in a single layer to allow for air circulation. Set your air fryer to 180°C for five minutes. If your fries are still soggy, spray them with oil again and put them back in the air fryer at a higher temperature for another minute.

If you want to add some extra flavour, sprinkle some sea salt or French fry seasoning on your fries before serving. You can also serve them with dipping sauces such as ketchup, nacho cheese sauce, ranch, garlic aioli, malt vinegar, or a 1:1 mix of ketchup and mayo.

With an air fryer, you can enjoy McDonald's fries that taste like they've just been cooked, even if they're a day old.

Reheating McDonald's chicken nuggets in an air fryer

Yes, you can reheat a Big Mac in an air fryer, but it may turn out drier than when using other reheating methods.

Now, for reheating McDonald's chicken nuggets in an air fryer, follow these steps:

First, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for five minutes. You can also try 375 degrees Fahrenheit if you know your air fryer runs hot. This is the secret to getting your chicken nuggets re-crisped without overcooking or burning them.

Next, place your refrigerated nuggets inside the fryer basket, arranging them in a single layer when possible. Air fry for about three minutes. If you prefer a higher cooking temperature, you can try 400 degrees Fahrenheit for two minutes.

And that's it! Remove the nuggets from the air fryer and enjoy. You can also reheat McDonald's french fries and burgers using the air fryer.

Reheating McDonald's burgers in an air fryer

While a Big Mac is best reheated in a frying pan, you can use an air fryer to reheat McDonald's burgers, fries, and chicken nuggets.

Preparation

Before reheating your McDonald's burger, it's important to note that food should not be reheated more than once. If your burger has been sitting out at room temperature for more than two hours, it's best to throw it away.

Reheating

Set your air fryer to 160°C. Place the whole burger and bun in the air fryer, but be careful not to overcrowd the basket. Reheat for three minutes, then flip the burger and reheat for another two minutes. Check that the burger is "steaming hot" all the way through before serving.

Tips

For an authentic dining experience, you can place the reheated burger back in the original packaging.

Frequently asked questions